If the thought of mice and rats in the walls of your house or hiding in the bushes in your front yard sends chills down your spine, you’re definitely not alone.
There are few things more unsettling than the thought of unwelcome guests eating their way through your walls, chewing up your grass, or even burrowing into the insulation in your walls to create a cozy home and family for themselves.
So, what can you do about it? What about rats? Rats are worse than mice, right? Let’s learn about how to repel rodents keeping them away from your home.
1. Keep a Neat and Tidy Home
Food scraps and crumbs attract rodents to your home. To repel them, sweep up regularly and vacuum often. Keep food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly. Store pet food in a rodent-proof container.
You can also repel rodents by making your yard less inviting to them. Keep your grass trimmed and bushes trimmed back. Remove any piles of wood or debris. Store your trash in a rodent-proof container.
Additionally, if you don’t deal with rats that are a mess, their waste and urine will contaminate your stored foods. Also by digging and constructing nests, rodents harm buildings structurally.
Like squirrels, rats and mice have a tendency to reproduce quickly, and some individuals choose to use firearms to kill animals as opposed to using natural repellents.
Even animal lovers may find squirrels to nuisance. However, you must discover an alternative method such as rodent removal.
Also, do some research if it is legal to shoot squirrels with pellet gun and other animals.
2. Clear Away Potential Hiding Spots
Mice and rats are looking for warmth and shelter when they enter your home. To keep rodents away, plug up any holes they may use to enter. Repair or replace any screens that have holes.
Another way to deter rodents from your home and yard is to clear away any potential hiding spots. This means removing any tall grass, weeds, or piles of debris that could offer them shelter.
If you have any trees or shrubs near your home, trim them back so that they don’t touch the house. Seal any cracks in your foundation, and install weather-stripping around doors and windows.
Finally, make sure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids.
3. Eliminate Food Sources
Rats and mice are attracted to food sources and shelter. In order to repel rodents from your home and yard, you will need to eliminate food sources.
This can be done by ensuring that all food is properly stored and sealed, and by regularly cleaning up any food that is spilled.
You will also want to remove any potential nesting sites, such as piles of wood or debris. Finally, you can try using rodent repellent products around the perimeter of your property.
Taking these steps will help to keep your home and yard rodent-free.
4. Use Natural Repellents
If you want to keep rodents away from your home, you can use rodent home remedies. Some of the best options include:
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a natural rodent repellent and can be used as a powder or as a liquid. It will deter rodents from coming into your home.
Just sprinkle it around your home and yard and the rodents will stay away. You can also use cayenne pepper to make a homemade rodent spray. Just mix it with water and spray it around your home and yard.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is safe to use around children and pets. Simply combine a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and mist the areas where you see rodents or where they are likely to enter your home.
You can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where rodents are active. The strong scent of peppermint will keep rodents away.
Garlic
You can use garlic for rodent removal and this is very effective to repel rodents from your home and yard. Rodents are highly sensitive to the smell of garlic, so placing cloves of garlic around your home will help to keep them away.
This can be used in a number of ways, including peeled and sliced cloves, garlic powder, or garlic oil. You can make a garlic spray by mixing garlic cloves and water in a blender and spraying it around areas where rodents are known to frequent.
White Vinegar
White Vinegar will keep rodents away from your property. To use vinegar, simply soak cotton balls in the vinegar and place them around your home and yard. You can also spray vinegar around your property to deter rodents.
Lemons
Lemons are not only a great way to add flavor to your food, but they can also help keep rodents away from your home and yard. The strong smell of lemon is unpleasant to rodents and will help keep them away.
You can use lemon peel, lemon juice, or lemon essential oil to create a natural rodent repellent. Simply apply the lemon repellent around your home and yard, and enjoy a rodent-free space.
5. Monitor for Activity
Regularly check for rodent activity. If you see rodents, take immediate action to remove them. Use traps or bait stations to catch and remove rodents and call a professional if you suspect an infestation.
And finally, if you have a serious rodent problem, call a pest control professional.
Create a Cozy Home and Repel Rodents
If rodents are becoming a problem in your home or yard, taking these steps that you have learned to repel rodents will make your home or yard a less inviting place for them to nest.
Write a detailed list of these tips, and post it where it will be seen by all members of your household. Review the list regularly and update it as needed.
Keep your property clean and free of food and water, block any potential entry points, and use natural deterrents.
Do you want to know more? Feel free to browse our site for other helpful tips.